Ricardo Pinto crafts deeply intricate, complex, and often brutal fantasy worlds that delve into the darker aspects of human nature and societal hierarchies. His style is characterized by meticulous detail and a focus on the psychological depth of characters grappling with moral quandaries and intricate relationships amidst a landscape rife with intrigue and violence. Pinto seeks to uncover the essence of power, betrayal, and the struggle for survival, offering readers a disquieting yet compelling exploration of societal mechanics and interpersonal dynamics.
Carnelian, haunted by the massacre he contributed to, seeks to prevent further violence. However, his vengeful former lover, Osidian, has incited the anger of the ruling Masters of Osrakum, complicating his efforts to stop the bloodshed.
THE ACCLAIMED SEQUEL TO THE CHOSEN In desperation, the Ruling Lord Suth searches within the sacred walls of Osrakum for Carnelian, his son, and Osidian, the God Emperor elect. He suspects the Empress Ykoriana is behind their disappearance and knows that if they are not found soon it is her other son, Osidian's brother Molochite, who will rule - with fearful consequences for the Three Lands. Captive of the tribes of the Earthsky, Carnelian is - for the moment - safe, and succumbs readily to the seasonal rhythms of tribal life, he is convinced by unexpected discoveries that it is fate that has bought him there.He grows to love these simple people and hopes for sanctuary among them. But the dark forces Carnelian helped unleash in Osrakum begin to cast their shadow over his adopted home. He is witness to the awful oppression that the Masters - whom the tribesmen call the Standing Dead - have been inflicting on them for millennia. But even more terrible is the presence Carnelian has unwittingly brought with him. Potent and terrifying, it threatens everything he now holds dear in this new-found world. With The Standing Dead, Ricardo Pinto gives us a tumultuous new chapter in the Stone Dance of the Chameleon trilogy and confirms his place as one of fantasy's most singular and literate voices.
Im zweiten Band, Die Ausgestoßenen, entkommen Karneol und sein Freund Osidian knapp dem lebendigen Begrabenwerden. Osidian, ein menschliches Raubtier, plant seine Rückkehr nach Osrakum, um seine Vergangenheit mit Feuer, Schwert und strategischem Geschick zu konfrontieren.
De terugkeer is het eerste deel van de schitterende cyclus De uitverkorene waarin de dramatische ontknoping wordt verteld van een geschiedenis die vierduizend jaar teruggaat. Kornalijn is de zoon van de Heer van Suth, die op een eiland in vrijwillige ballingschap leeft. Hij behoort tot het volk der Uitverkorenen: de Meesters wier gezichten altijd voor minderen verborgen moeten blijven. Wanneer in een vliegende storm drie Meesters landen, weet Kornalijn dat zijn leven voorgoed zal veranderen. De oude keizer ligt op sterven en Konalijns vader moet de verkiezing onder de Uitverkorenen leiden, om te bepalen wie van de keizerlijke tweeling de nieuwe heerser wordt. Samen met zijn vader en de andere Meesters gaat Kornalijn op weg naar Oskarum, het verre, mythische land waar de Meesters leven. Tijdens de barre tocht leert Kornalijn zijn volk kennen en ontdekt hij hun liefde voor verraad en wrede schoonheid...